This year’s New Year’s Honours have recognised two of our top 100 Disability Power 100 influencers for their exceptional work changing perceptions and the lived experience of disabled people. The two, Alan Benson and Michèle Taylor, were awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire, along with Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 judge, Mike Sharrock, who received an Officers of the Order of the British Empire.
Alan Benson is a disability campaigner and activist with a particular interest in transport. Chairing Transport for All, a charity that champions the rights of disabled and older people to travel freely and independently in London, Alan received his MBE for services to Public Transport for People with Disabilities.
For more than 30 years Power 100 influencer, Michèle Taylor has worked to open up the mainstream cultural landscape to disabled and deaf people. Michèle brings her experience as a disabled person to this work, as well as her intellectual rigour and her qualifications both as a psychotherapist and as a coach with the aim of demystifying equality for disabled people and to normalise it as core good practice. She receives her MBE for services to Theatre and People with Disabilities.
Mike Sharrock joined the judging panel of the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 in 2021. Dedicating time to evaluate the nominations in a year when the British Paralympic Association, of which he is Chief Executive, brought home an outstanding haul of medals and some of the greatest sporting highlights of the year. He received his OBE for services to Athletes with Disabilities.
A huge congratulations to all three major influencers in the Disability sphere.
You can read more about Alan Benson, Michèle Taylor and Mike Sharrock on the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 website.